I spotted this book at a bookshop in Brighton back in May last year – I was intrigued. I love a good puzzle, and usually start my Sundays with a crossword, but it took until this week to get to the top of my listening list on Audible. Maybe because I had a puzzle of my own to be solved.

---

It is just a few days until we begin our travels to Australia. No more slow down – although there was still time for a lunchtime walk in the sunshine on one day this week.

Action is required. The big stuff is done – flights, hotels, insurance. We’ve got a good idea of what we want to do whilst we are there – tickets for an exhibition, cricket at the MCG,  parkruns pencilled in, and a couple of walking tour routes printed out. I’ve added some highlights to our Lonely Planet and created a special list on google maps – 36 places marked so far. I’ve enjoyed the planning – it is part if the fun of travelling – and anticipation is growing.

We’re almost ready to go.

But the final part of the process is the probably the hardest one for me – it’s time to pack and this is not my forte. We’ll be moving about quite a bit whilst away, so the less we have to carry, the better. You never know when you might want to get off the bus.

And I love the idea of travelling light, going long haul with just hand luggage, and not spending the entire trip thinking about all the things I’ve not got that I really need. But I’m not sure I’ve ever mastered it. I’ve usually got way too much and then add more, just in case.

But this time, I’m on it.

Like the book I was reading, holiday packing was really just a puzzle to be solved. This time, I was going to crack the secret code, line up the clues, and find the perfect solution. I had my goal – everything was going to fit into my new wheely suitcase and my very-well travelled backpack. It’s not quite the same one as I used on my early adventures… although I do still have Green Bear.

Let’s do this.

I started with some basic research – how much do you really need for a two-and-a-half-week trip to Australia? Lots of people apparently have asked the same question. I ready a couple of articles and watched a YouTube video. Disregarded the advice about including a range of accessories, so you can create a “different” look for Instagram even if you’re wearing the same outfit several times. Read a travel blog about the art of travelling light. Thought about the weather – Melbourne can be four-seasons-in-one -day, so I’ll need some layers and probably a raincoat. Remembered some tips from my friend Kirsten, who is my packing guru.

I had a goal.

On Thursday evening, I made two packing lists. The first was for clothes/shoes; the second list for all the other stuff. I remember the advice I got from my academic supervisor in 1999 on writing my dissertation – just get all your thoughts down on paper and then do the editing. I tweaked the list a little bit. I thought about what I really needed. I left it alone for a while, then came back to it on Friday.

Progress – I’ve got lists.

On Friday, I started gathering all the possibilities, pulling summer clothes from the back of the wardrobe. Finding my sunhat and sandals. Thank goodness for the spare room! If it needs washing, it’s too late.

Into the last stage now.

By Saturday afternoon, with the house to myself, all the possibilities had been picked out and were arranged in somewhat haphazard fashion on the bed. Clearly way more than will fit in the suitcase and definitely more than I needed. But it was a process. I referred back to my list, discarded anything that didn’t match or would need ironing. Swapped one pair of sandals for another – they take up less room. Added a dress that would work for any occasion. Made sure I could mix and match most things.

I’m getting closer.

And then the actual packing begins. Rolling not folding. Packing cubes to keep everything together. A couple more moments of indecision, as I count the number of t-shirts added and think about how hot it might be. I compared the contents of the suitcase with the lists I’d made. I moved things around to separate out a couple of easily-accessible changes of clothes for our first couple of days. I then resisted the urge to add a couple more items because there was still space.

And then it was done.

Everything on my packing list has been ticked off and added. The case zipped up without any issue. Everything for the journey – including books to read – has fitted in my backpack. I’m going to be travelling light.

And now I need to leave it alone – over the next couple of days, I am sure I will be tempted to add 2 or 3 more absolutely essential items.

But I won’t.

The puzzle has been solved, for me at least. Mr T has a different approach to packing – he’s still in the concept stage. But we’ll be ready for our next adventure. It’s almost time to fly.

---

52 for 52 in 2025 #3 – weekly blogs in 2025 inspired by the books I’m reading.